Day 14 – Riverbanks Zoo
Located in Columbia, South Carolina, the Riverbanks Zoo gives off quite a dated feel. Multiple exhibits give the impression of a previous era in exhibit design. I get the feeling that 15 or so years ago this zoo would have been a decent mid-level zoo. By modern standards that leaves something to be desired. This is not to say there aren’t any positives at the zoo; there are a few above average areas. On the whole however, the zoo is in need of a face lift.
Otters, Bears, Baboons and Big Cats
My initial thought was to describe this section as the “Mock Rock Mecca” but that wouldn’t be fair to the first two exhibits, for the otters and grizzly bears. These are the first exhibits I came to at the zoo as they are located just to the right of the entrance. The otter/grizzly set up has a modern feel and is a step above the exhibits that follow. For example, the grizzly enclosure is adequately spaced and while it has a mock rock back drop, there is a grassy or sandy surface for about half of the enclosure. There is also a water area for the bears. Guests can view the bears through several large glass windows. The exhibit is adequate for the bears and looks like a decent upgrade to a previous exhibit (I’m assuming this is somewhat of a recent renovation, please correct me if I am mistaken). There are many superior exhibits though for grizzlies in terms of space, naturalism, and viewing opportunities. The next three areas have a noticeable drop off in quality. Up first is a Hamadryas baboon exhibit that is modestly sized for the small troop but completely devoid of naturalism. There is excessive use of mock rock, and most of the climbing structures are assembled walkways of wooden planks. Things get worse next door there is a bizarre combo of species exhibited, starting with a far too small mock rock grotto for lions and the back corner for Diana monkeys. The monkeys are separated via moat and confined to a small space with some basic climbing structures. Finally, there is a slight larger mock rock shrine for amur tigers. The biggest grievance here aside from the space is that there is hotwire spread through out the front of the yard meaning that in every photo of a tiger while they are near the front you have hotwire in it. Ideally the latter three grottos could be demolished and remodelled into one exhibit, as they currently stand it is not a pleasant component of the zoo.
Koalas, Komodo’s and Siamangs
Behind the previous area are a series of exhibits begin with a rather typical mock rock island for siamangs. The exhibits are adequate for the animals and do provide lots of climbing space. However, they are clearly a sign of an early time in zoo design. Up next was a rather decent series of koala exhibits. Inside there are a pair of relatively spacious koala exhibits, the only knock on which is the odd light green backdrop. Another photographer at the exhibit at the same time as me was bemoaning the very unnatural look, when it clued into me that the screen very closely resembled a green screen for chroma keying. We both got a good laugh out of the idea of using that to put in a naturalistic backdrop. Outside there was a larger yard with a series of trees for another koala, and a first for me a 7 month old joey! I never got to see much more than the joey’s head, but in itself that was a treat. Finally there was a spacious yard for a Komodo dragon. Nothing is this section was a knock out, but the koala habitats and the komodo dragon yard exhibit were a step in the right direction compared with the previous section.
ARC – Aquarium Reptile Complex
This was an intriguing building that varied notably in quality from section to section. The first two sections focused on species native to South Carolina and then desert dwelling species. These sections did a good job of providing educational information on the species and displaying them in decent habitats. After starting out strong the following section, the Tropics, was disappointing. An attempt at creating a rainforest like building falls a little flat. While there is some foliage draped throughout the building, most of the exhibits are basic tanks and any rainforest illusion quickly disappears. The final section of the building is an aquarium, themed to represent the Ocean, and it was a pleasant surprise. The aquarium had quite a number of tanks and felt as several steps above a typical zoo aquarium. Other than the Tropics section, this building was an impressive part of the zoo.
Giraffes, Zebras, Ostriches and Elephants
Of these species, giraffes have the best exhibit with a moderately sized yard in a forest clearing. There is nice back drop of trees to the exhibit and many trees within the exhibit to give it a naturalistic feel and to keep the attention of the giraffes. My one complaint about the giraffe exhibit is that the viewing is not spectacular. There are opportunities to view the animals along the walkway, though you are frequently looking through bushes to do so. There is an elevated platform, however that is only accessible if you wish to feed the giraffes and pay to do so. Off to the side is a moderately sized yard for zebras and ostriches that is functional if not exceptional. Finally, a pair of African elephants live in a exhibit that seems like it would have been right at home a couple of decades ago. The dusty yard has a nice mud-wall back drop, but is too small to be considered ideal by contemporary standards.
Gorillas
After a series of uninspiring to okay habitats, I was positively stunned by an excellent gorilla exhibit. The apes have a large hill side that is incredibly lush, with thick growth throughout. As a result, as the gorillas forage for food they routinely disappear behind the greenery only to re-emerge in another part of the exhibit. There are multiple viewing points for guests, predominantly barrier free with one small area towards the end of the exhibit being through fencing. This is a noteworthy exhibit is clearly the highlight of the zoo.
Conservation Outpost
Unfortunately this section follows the outstanding gorilla habitat and it is largely disappointing. The only strength of the section is the theming, being that of a old mine shaft. As you walk it through it you have exhibit after exhibit featuring animals such as lemurs, black footed cats, tree kangaroos and sloths. The diversity of species is a plus, however the habitats are all mock rock with scatted wood set up for climbing/enrichment. This section feels really dated, the only modern component being the digital signage. The habitats could benefit from a sprucing up.
Rest of Zoo
There is a small Australian walk through with kangaroos; a large pool with substantial viewing opportunities for sea lions, and a decently sized pool for flamingos.
There are things to like at this zoo, in particular it’s gorilla exhibit. However, much of it is in need of the proverbial fresh coat of paint. The space is there I think to do a decent remodel, the challenge would be however, that to provide extra space for the inhabitants would likely result in a decrease in the overall number of species. I really feel that is necessary though, as this zoo more than most I’ve visited feels as if parts of it remain trapped in a previous era.
Located in Columbia, South Carolina, the Riverbanks Zoo gives off quite a dated feel. Multiple exhibits give the impression of a previous era in exhibit design. I get the feeling that 15 or so years ago this zoo would have been a decent mid-level zoo. By modern standards that leaves something to be desired. This is not to say there aren’t any positives at the zoo; there are a few above average areas. On the whole however, the zoo is in need of a face lift.
Otters, Bears, Baboons and Big Cats
My initial thought was to describe this section as the “Mock Rock Mecca” but that wouldn’t be fair to the first two exhibits, for the otters and grizzly bears. These are the first exhibits I came to at the zoo as they are located just to the right of the entrance. The otter/grizzly set up has a modern feel and is a step above the exhibits that follow. For example, the grizzly enclosure is adequately spaced and while it has a mock rock back drop, there is a grassy or sandy surface for about half of the enclosure. There is also a water area for the bears. Guests can view the bears through several large glass windows. The exhibit is adequate for the bears and looks like a decent upgrade to a previous exhibit (I’m assuming this is somewhat of a recent renovation, please correct me if I am mistaken). There are many superior exhibits though for grizzlies in terms of space, naturalism, and viewing opportunities. The next three areas have a noticeable drop off in quality. Up first is a Hamadryas baboon exhibit that is modestly sized for the small troop but completely devoid of naturalism. There is excessive use of mock rock, and most of the climbing structures are assembled walkways of wooden planks. Things get worse next door there is a bizarre combo of species exhibited, starting with a far too small mock rock grotto for lions and the back corner for Diana monkeys. The monkeys are separated via moat and confined to a small space with some basic climbing structures. Finally, there is a slight larger mock rock shrine for amur tigers. The biggest grievance here aside from the space is that there is hotwire spread through out the front of the yard meaning that in every photo of a tiger while they are near the front you have hotwire in it. Ideally the latter three grottos could be demolished and remodelled into one exhibit, as they currently stand it is not a pleasant component of the zoo.
Koalas, Komodo’s and Siamangs
Behind the previous area are a series of exhibits begin with a rather typical mock rock island for siamangs. The exhibits are adequate for the animals and do provide lots of climbing space. However, they are clearly a sign of an early time in zoo design. Up next was a rather decent series of koala exhibits. Inside there are a pair of relatively spacious koala exhibits, the only knock on which is the odd light green backdrop. Another photographer at the exhibit at the same time as me was bemoaning the very unnatural look, when it clued into me that the screen very closely resembled a green screen for chroma keying. We both got a good laugh out of the idea of using that to put in a naturalistic backdrop. Outside there was a larger yard with a series of trees for another koala, and a first for me a 7 month old joey! I never got to see much more than the joey’s head, but in itself that was a treat. Finally there was a spacious yard for a Komodo dragon. Nothing is this section was a knock out, but the koala habitats and the komodo dragon yard exhibit were a step in the right direction compared with the previous section.
ARC – Aquarium Reptile Complex
This was an intriguing building that varied notably in quality from section to section. The first two sections focused on species native to South Carolina and then desert dwelling species. These sections did a good job of providing educational information on the species and displaying them in decent habitats. After starting out strong the following section, the Tropics, was disappointing. An attempt at creating a rainforest like building falls a little flat. While there is some foliage draped throughout the building, most of the exhibits are basic tanks and any rainforest illusion quickly disappears. The final section of the building is an aquarium, themed to represent the Ocean, and it was a pleasant surprise. The aquarium had quite a number of tanks and felt as several steps above a typical zoo aquarium. Other than the Tropics section, this building was an impressive part of the zoo.
Giraffes, Zebras, Ostriches and Elephants
Of these species, giraffes have the best exhibit with a moderately sized yard in a forest clearing. There is nice back drop of trees to the exhibit and many trees within the exhibit to give it a naturalistic feel and to keep the attention of the giraffes. My one complaint about the giraffe exhibit is that the viewing is not spectacular. There are opportunities to view the animals along the walkway, though you are frequently looking through bushes to do so. There is an elevated platform, however that is only accessible if you wish to feed the giraffes and pay to do so. Off to the side is a moderately sized yard for zebras and ostriches that is functional if not exceptional. Finally, a pair of African elephants live in a exhibit that seems like it would have been right at home a couple of decades ago. The dusty yard has a nice mud-wall back drop, but is too small to be considered ideal by contemporary standards.
Gorillas
After a series of uninspiring to okay habitats, I was positively stunned by an excellent gorilla exhibit. The apes have a large hill side that is incredibly lush, with thick growth throughout. As a result, as the gorillas forage for food they routinely disappear behind the greenery only to re-emerge in another part of the exhibit. There are multiple viewing points for guests, predominantly barrier free with one small area towards the end of the exhibit being through fencing. This is a noteworthy exhibit is clearly the highlight of the zoo.
Conservation Outpost
Unfortunately this section follows the outstanding gorilla habitat and it is largely disappointing. The only strength of the section is the theming, being that of a old mine shaft. As you walk it through it you have exhibit after exhibit featuring animals such as lemurs, black footed cats, tree kangaroos and sloths. The diversity of species is a plus, however the habitats are all mock rock with scatted wood set up for climbing/enrichment. This section feels really dated, the only modern component being the digital signage. The habitats could benefit from a sprucing up.
Rest of Zoo
There is a small Australian walk through with kangaroos; a large pool with substantial viewing opportunities for sea lions, and a decently sized pool for flamingos.
There are things to like at this zoo, in particular it’s gorilla exhibit. However, much of it is in need of the proverbial fresh coat of paint. The space is there I think to do a decent remodel, the challenge would be however, that to provide extra space for the inhabitants would likely result in a decrease in the overall number of species. I really feel that is necessary though, as this zoo more than most I’ve visited feels as if parts of it remain trapped in a previous era.
Must visit more.